First foray with infrared

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Archive 2010 · First foray with infrared

vadaarmonk
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p.1 #1 · First foray with infrared

I recently had my old Rebel XT converted with a 720nm filter, and finally had an opportunity to put it through its paces over the weekend. My impression is that A) image editing is vastly more difficult with so little color information, and B) This style of photography very much appears to be a clear skies/spring/summer pastime, as foliage really doesn't pop unless it's being hit with direct sunlight. Anyways, here's a few samples:

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Does anyone happen to know a good workflow for IR processing? I found the whole thing pretty tortured - it took a long time to get even mediocre results.

Feb 08, 2010 at 06:09 PM

who me
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p.1 #2 · First foray with infrared

Well, I think these turned out quite well considering you struggled. I like #2 and 3 the best.

Feb 08, 2010 at 06:31 PM

Tim ONeill
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p.1 #3 · First foray with infrared

Your first two look excellent for IR. Clear sharp and good contrast. I pretty much gave up on false color after finding that the blue skies tended to bleed into the whites of the image. classic IR shines in the tropical and mediteranean comps. Nothing works like a palm tree. Some conifers flouresce white, and others stay gray.

It is a lot of trial and error. Most books on the processing are terrible. A notable exception is by Deborah Sandidge called Digital Infrared Photography. Also there is a new tutorial movie on the Life Pixel web site on processing. Finally, download a copy of Nik Efex Silver, and try using the High Structure preset. Great software.

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:01 AM

vadaar
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p.1 #4 · First foray with infrared

Thanks guys.

Tim, I think you're right on the false color thing - it sounds great in principal, but I spent so long trying to get the neutrals to actually be neutral that it seemed to just be a waste of time compared to getting a decent black and white result. What's most difficult for me is that my regular tools (all the conventional means of doing B&W conversions in photoshop, including Silver Efex) rely to at least some extent on the color information within the image - which obviously the image lacks if it's shot in IR. I'll check out that book by Deborah Sandidge - I need all the help I can get!

-Jon

Feb 09, 2010 at 10:39 AM

Tim ONeill
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p.1 #5 · First foray with infrared

Jon
One other hint here. Use the selective color and go to the whites and remove some of the black from that channel, and your clouds will pop more. In the black channel there, you can do some gentle pumping of the blacks for a bit more sky drama.

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:15 PM


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